Thread by @innercitypress

OK - Honduras trial @SDNYLIVE Friday the questioning turns to Los Cachiros, Devis Leonel Rivera Maradiaga - Inner City Press' last story and Q to UNSG @AntonioGuterres who met JOH without raising corruption innercitypress.com/sdny10honduras… Today's thread herebelow

@sdnylive @antonioguterres @MatthewLeeICP @unetvhn @TN5Telenoticias @elpulsohn @UnivisionNews @SomosAnticorrup @hondurassol @ElMundoSV @InSightCrime @FinanceWatchOrg AUSA: Did Pepe Lobo and his son Fabio help los Cachiros launder drug money?
A: Si, senor.
AUSA: How much did you pay Pepe Lobo?
A: $500,000 to $600,000.

@sdnylive @antonioguterres @MatthewLeeICP @unetvhn @TN5Telenoticias @elpulsohn @UnivisionNews @SomosAnticorrup @hondurassol @ElMundoSV @InSightCrime @FinanceWatchOrg AUSA: What kind of money did you use to set up "Inter-mar?"
A: De la ganacias de la cocaina, senior - drug money.
AUSA: Did you have bank accounts?
A: Yes.
AUSA: In other people's names?
A: Yes.

@sdnylive @antonioguterres @MatthewLeeICP @unetvhn @TN5Telenoticias @elpulsohn @UnivisionNews @SomosAnticorrup @hondurassol @ElMundoSV @InSightCrime @FinanceWatchOrg AUSA: What was the bank in Honduras which held a lot of these accounts?
A: Banco Continental.
AUSA: Who were your contacts there?
A: The Rosenthals.

@sdnylive @antonioguterres @MatthewLeeICP @unetvhn @TN5Telenoticias @elpulsohn @UnivisionNews @SomosAnticorrup @hondurassol @ElMundoSV @InSightCrime @FinanceWatchOrg AUSA: Between 2010 & 2013 how much did you bribe Fabio Lobo for contracts with Honduras' government?
A: $300,000.
AUSA: And what was the value of the contracts issued to the Cachiros' front company?
A: 250 million Lempiras [see exchange rate in previous thread]

@sdnylive @antonioguterres @MatthewLeeICP @unetvhn @TN5Telenoticias @elpulsohn @UnivisionNews @SomosAnticorrup @hondurassol @ElMundoSV @InSightCrime @FinanceWatchOrg AUSA: What did Fabio Lobo do to held you avoid asset seizures?
A: Fabio Lobo and Oscar, they worked through Pepe Lobo. And we were able to hide our assets.

@sdnylive @antonioguterres @MatthewLeeICP @unetvhn @TN5Telenoticias @elpulsohn @UnivisionNews @SomosAnticorrup @hondurassol @ElMundoSV @InSightCrime @FinanceWatchOrg AUSA: What kind of things were you able to hide?

A: Guns, vehicles, properties, computers... and cattle.

@sdnylive @antonioguterres @MatthewLeeICP @unetvhn @TN5Telenoticias @elpulsohn @UnivisionNews @SomosAnticorrup @hondurassol @ElMundoSV @InSightCrime @FinanceWatchOrg AUSA: So this meeting in a restaurant in Tegucigalpa, how did you record it? [Referring to exhibit 401].
A: With a watch.
AUSA: Where did you get the watch?
A: I bought it.
AUSA: And afterward you gave the recording to the DEA?
A: Yes.

@sdnylive @antonioguterres @MatthewLeeICP @unetvhn @TN5Telenoticias @elpulsohn @UnivisionNews @SomosAnticorrup @hondurassol @ElMundoSV @InSightCrime @FinanceWatchOrg AUSA: And how is this?
A: Tony Hernandez.
AUSA: And what is shown here?
A: The contracts.
AUSA: The contracts are in the envelope?
A: Yes.

@sdnylive @antonioguterres @MatthewLeeICP @unetvhn @TN5Telenoticias @elpulsohn @UnivisionNews @SomosAnticorrup @hondurassol @ElMundoSV @InSightCrime @FinanceWatchOrg A: Tony Hernandez was sending me a message that he wanted to work with me on drug trafficking.
AUSA: During the meeting in San Pedro Sula, what did Avila if anything say about bribes?
A: Avila Mesa said the defendants wanted an advance of $100,000.

@sdnylive @antonioguterres @MatthewLeeICP @unetvhn @TN5Telenoticias @elpulsohn @UnivisionNews @SomosAnticorrup @hondurassol @ElMundoSV @InSightCrime @FinanceWatchOrg AUSA: Where did you next meet Avila Mesa?
A: In the lobby of the "Clarence"... there are 18:26, that's the lawyer Ramirez who was with Avila Mesa.

@sdnylive @antonioguterres @MatthewLeeICP @unetvhn @TN5Telenoticias @elpulsohn @UnivisionNews @SomosAnticorrup @hondurassol @ElMundoSV @InSightCrime @FinanceWatchOrg Judge Castel has declared a break, the jury is filing out. Judge Castel takes his two mugs and leaves the bench. We'll be back - thread will continue patreon.com/posts/30577179

@sdnylive @antonioguterres @MatthewLeeICP @unetvhn @TN5Telenoticias @elpulsohn @UnivisionNews @SomosAnticorrup @hondurassol @ElMundoSV @InSightCrime @FinanceWatchOrg It continues: AUSA asks, What did Avila Mesa tell you about Oscar Ramirez?
A: That he was the lawyer for Tony Hernandez.
AUSA: What did Avila Mesa says when you got in the car?
A: He asked if I'd brought the money.

@sdnylive @antonioguterres @MatthewLeeICP @unetvhn @TN5Telenoticias @elpulsohn @UnivisionNews @SomosAnticorrup @hondurassol @ElMundoSV @InSightCrime @FinanceWatchOrg AUSA: And what did you say?
A: That yes, but that I only had $5,000.
AUSA: What did you do with the money?
A: I gave it to Oscar Ramirez. He told me to meet with Tony Hernandez... and to bring the Intermar contracts with me.

@sdnylive @antonioguterres @MatthewLeeICP @unetvhn @TN5Telenoticias @elpulsohn @UnivisionNews @SomosAnticorrup @hondurassol @ElMundoSV @InSightCrime @FinanceWatchOrg AUSA: After Ramirez gave you that instruction, did you call anyone?
A: Yes, my worker Eduardo Perez. I told him to get the contracts together.
AUSA: Did you have another meeting after that?
A: Yes... At Denny's.

@sdnylive @antonioguterres @MatthewLeeICP @unetvhn @TN5Telenoticias @elpulsohn @UnivisionNews @SomosAnticorrup @hondurassol @ElMundoSV @InSightCrime @FinanceWatchOrg Note, for non-Tegucigalpa residents: there *are* Denny's restaurants there:
Denny's
Boulevard Juan Pablo II · [phone]
Open 24 hours
Denny's
Toncontín, Blvrd Comunidad Económica Europea · [phone]
Open 24 hours

@sdnylive @antonioguterres @MatthewLeeICP @unetvhn @TN5Telenoticias @elpulsohn @UnivisionNews @SomosAnticorrup @hondurassol @ElMundoSV @InSightCrime @FinanceWatchOrg AUSA: How did you record the meeting in the Denny's?
A: With the watch, on my arm.

Note: Inner City Press will endeavor to obtain and post this undercover-in-Denny's video as soon as it can

@sdnylive @antonioguterres @MatthewLeeICP @unetvhn @TN5Telenoticias @elpulsohn @UnivisionNews @SomosAnticorrup @hondurassol @ElMundoSV @InSightCrime @FinanceWatchOrg AUSA: Turn to Exhibit 502, page 2. What type of help did he give?
A: Martinez helped provide military training to those who would security cocaine shipments.

@sdnylive @antonioguterres @MatthewLeeICP @unetvhn @TN5Telenoticias @elpulsohn @UnivisionNews @SomosAnticorrup @hondurassol @ElMundoSV @InSightCrime @FinanceWatchOrg AUSA: What type of help did Fredy Najera give to the Cachiros?
A: He helps with flights of cocaine we brought in to San Esteban.

@sdnylive @antonioguterres @MatthewLeeICP @unetvhn @TN5Telenoticias @elpulsohn @UnivisionNews @SomosAnticorrup @hondurassol @ElMundoSV @InSightCrime @FinanceWatchOrg AUSA: How many murders are you responsible for in the agreement?
A: Seventy eight.
AUSA: And what are you required to do under the agreement?
A: Tell the truth. And testify when they ask me to.

@sdnylive @antonioguterres @MatthewLeeICP @unetvhn @TN5Telenoticias @elpulsohn @UnivisionNews @SomosAnticorrup @hondurassol @ElMundoSV @InSightCrime @FinanceWatchOrg AUSA: Turn to Exhibit 704, the Plea Agreement, Appendix A, page 3 - is that the murder of Chino?
A: Yes.

@sdnylive @antonioguterres @MatthewLeeICP @unetvhn @TN5Telenoticias @elpulsohn @UnivisionNews @SomosAnticorrup @hondurassol @ElMundoSV @InSightCrime @FinanceWatchOrg AUSA: If you get the 5K1 letter, does the judge have to follow it?
A: No.
AUSA: Who is going to decide your sentence?
A: The judge.
AUSA: I have nothing further.

@sdnylive @antonioguterres @MatthewLeeICP @unetvhn @TN5Telenoticias @elpulsohn @UnivisionNews @SomosAnticorrup @hondurassol @ElMundoSV @InSightCrime @FinanceWatchOrg Now - with 8 minutes until 1 pm - cross examination starts.
Tony H's lawyer: How many times did you meet with the prosecutors to prepare today's testimony?
A: Various times.
Tony H's lawyer: And if I told you that you met DOJ 61 times?
A: I didn't count.

@sdnylive @antonioguterres @MatthewLeeICP @unetvhn @TN5Telenoticias @elpulsohn @UnivisionNews @SomosAnticorrup @hondurassol @ElMundoSV @InSightCrime @FinanceWatchOrg Tony H's lawyer: Would you agree, more than four dozen times?
A: I don't remember.
Tony H's lawyer: Would it refresh your memory if I showed you a list?
A: I do not remember.

@sdnylive @antonioguterres @MatthewLeeICP @unetvhn @TN5Telenoticias @elpulsohn @UnivisionNews @SomosAnticorrup @hondurassol @ElMundoSV @InSightCrime @FinanceWatchOrg Tony H's lawyer: You started cooperating with the DEA in November 2013?
A: Si, senor.
Tony H's lawyer: Did you tell them about the criminal activities you continues on the side?
A: I'm not understanding.

@sdnylive @antonioguterres @MatthewLeeICP @unetvhn @TN5Telenoticias @elpulsohn @UnivisionNews @SomosAnticorrup @hondurassol @ElMundoSV @InSightCrime @FinanceWatchOrg Tony H's lawyer: On Appendix A, did you kill the three people on Lines 76, 77 and 78 while you were cooperating with the DEA?
A: I had only started cooperating with the DEA.

@sdnylive @antonioguterres @MatthewLeeICP @unetvhn @TN5Telenoticias @elpulsohn @UnivisionNews @SomosAnticorrup @hondurassol @ElMundoSV @InSightCrime @FinanceWatchOrg Tony H's lawyer: Did you tell your DEA handlers in Central America that you were going to killed these three people in Lines 76, 77 and 78 before you killed them?
A: I didn't tell them then because we were not talking about murder at that time.

@sdnylive @antonioguterres @MatthewLeeICP @unetvhn @TN5Telenoticias @elpulsohn @UnivisionNews @SomosAnticorrup @hondurassol @ElMundoSV @InSightCrime @FinanceWatchOrg It's 1:02 & now Judge Castel calls the lunch break, in the middle of questioning about murders committed while the witness was already cooperating (and filming) for the DEA. Thread will continue. Stories coming on InnerCityPress.com & patreon.com/posts/30577179

@sdnylive @antonioguterres @MatthewLeeICP @unetvhn @TN5Telenoticias @elpulsohn @UnivisionNews @SomosAnticorrup @hondurassol @ElMundoSV @InSightCrime @FinanceWatchOrg Tony H's lawyer: So you trafficked over 150 tons of cocaine, right?
A: That is not correct.
Q: So how much was it?
A: Approximately 130 tons.

@sdnylive @antonioguterres @MatthewLeeICP @unetvhn @TN5Telenoticias @elpulsohn @UnivisionNews @SomosAnticorrup @hondurassol @ElMundoSV @InSightCrime @FinanceWatchOrg Tony H's lawyer: And how much money did you make?
A: Approximately $50 million. It is invested.
Q: Where?
A: In politicians. In the defendant. In his brother Juan Orlando Hernandez, to whom I gave $250,000.

@sdnylive @antonioguterres @MatthewLeeICP @unetvhn @TN5Telenoticias @elpulsohn @UnivisionNews @SomosAnticorrup @hondurassol @ElMundoSV @InSightCrime @FinanceWatchOrg ...beyond bribe to JOH, I purchased houses, an airplane, clothing, jewelry, gifts to my girlfriends.
Tony H's lawyers: Is there money left?
A: Yes. I withdraw it from banks after OFAC mentioned us. I hid it in another place in Honduras.

@sdnylive @antonioguterres @MatthewLeeICP @unetvhn @TN5Telenoticias @elpulsohn @UnivisionNews @SomosAnticorrup @hondurassol @ElMundoSV @InSightCrime @FinanceWatchOrg Tony H's lawyer: When did you take it out?
A: The head of Banco Continental told me what our funds were about to be frozen so we could withdraw it just before. About $100 million Lempira.

@sdnylive @antonioguterres @MatthewLeeICP @unetvhn @TN5Telenoticias @elpulsohn @UnivisionNews @SomosAnticorrup @hondurassol @ElMundoSV @InSightCrime @FinanceWatchOrg Tony H's lawyer: So about $4 million US?
A: I don't know the exchange rate. Jaime Rosenthal gave it to me in cash.
Q: So where did you hide?
A: Somewhere in Honduras.
Q: Did you tell the DEA where?
A: No, senor. They didn't ask me.

@sdnylive @antonioguterres @MatthewLeeICP @unetvhn @TN5Telenoticias @elpulsohn @UnivisionNews @SomosAnticorrup @hondurassol @ElMundoSV @InSightCrime @FinanceWatchOrg Tony H's lawyer: How much of your drug trafficking profits did you give to your family?
A: I don't have an estimate.

@sdnylive @antonioguterres @MatthewLeeICP @unetvhn @TN5Telenoticias @elpulsohn @UnivisionNews @SomosAnticorrup @hondurassol @ElMundoSV @InSightCrime @FinanceWatchOrg Tony H's lawyer: How many watches did you give to your son to pawn?
A: One
Q: Was it a Rolex?
A: Yes.
Q: Any watches to your girlfriend?
A: No, senor.

@sdnylive @antonioguterres @MatthewLeeICP @unetvhn @TN5Telenoticias @elpulsohn @UnivisionNews @SomosAnticorrup @hondurassol @ElMundoSV @InSightCrime @FinanceWatchOrg Judge Castel has just directly addressed Tony Hernandez, telling him he will soon have to decide whether he will testify in this trial or not.
Tony says he understands....
Now Judge Castel's chair is under repair.

@sdnylive @antonioguterres @MatthewLeeICP @unetvhn @TN5Telenoticias @elpulsohn @UnivisionNews @SomosAnticorrup @hondurassol @ElMundoSV @InSightCrime @FinanceWatchOrg Tony H's lawyer: So do your family members still have the houses you gave them, paid for by drug money?
A: No, the government of Juan Orlando Hernandez seized them.

@sdnylive @antonioguterres @MatthewLeeICP @unetvhn @TN5Telenoticias @elpulsohn @UnivisionNews @SomosAnticorrup @hondurassol @ElMundoSV @InSightCrime @FinanceWatchOrg Tony H's lawyer: The video you filmed in the Denny's, who did you give it to in the US government?
A: There were several DEA agents. I don't remember which one.

@sdnylive @antonioguterres @MatthewLeeICP @unetvhn @TN5Telenoticias @elpulsohn @UnivisionNews @SomosAnticorrup @hondurassol @ElMundoSV @InSightCrime @FinanceWatchOrg Tony H's lawyer: Did you have any meetings in which you rehearsed your testimony, like, question answer, question answer?
A: I don't remember. Every time we met we spoke about various narco-traficantes

@sdnylive @antonioguterres @MatthewLeeICP @unetvhn @TN5Telenoticias @elpulsohn @UnivisionNews @SomosAnticorrup @hondurassol @ElMundoSV @InSightCrime @FinanceWatchOrg Tony H's lawyer: That watch you used to film in Denny's, did you buy it in a spy store?
A: A store that sells recording equipment.
Q: And only the watch. I already had several audio recording devices.
Q: Did you record in your car between Hotel Clarion & Denny's?

@sdnylive @antonioguterres @MatthewLeeICP @unetvhn @TN5Telenoticias @elpulsohn @UnivisionNews @SomosAnticorrup @hondurassol @ElMundoSV @InSightCrime @FinanceWatchOrg A: Yes in the car I only recorded audio. I left the video watch in the glove compartment.
Tony H's lawyer: Did you video the meeting in the Clarion Hotel?
A: No, senor.
Q: When you gave $50,000 in the car, had you written down the serial numbers?
A: No.

@sdnylive @antonioguterres @MatthewLeeICP @unetvhn @TN5Telenoticias @elpulsohn @UnivisionNews @SomosAnticorrup @hondurassol @ElMundoSV @InSightCrime @FinanceWatchOrg Tony H's lawyer asking a lot of questions about the watch-recording in Denny's: who decided when to turn on the camera and when to turn it off, did it use blue tooth...
Q: How did you turn over the footage to the DEA?
A: On a card.

@sdnylive @antonioguterres @MatthewLeeICP @unetvhn @TN5Telenoticias @elpulsohn @UnivisionNews @SomosAnticorrup @hondurassol @ElMundoSV @InSightCrime @FinanceWatchOrg Tony H's lawyer: Weren't you afraid you would be followed?
A: No, I had just bribed the brother of the president.